If it is not possible or convenient to go to a registration office in the area where the death took place, you can give the details to any registration office and they will forward these to the correct registration office.

If the death has been reported to a coroner you can’t register the death until the coroner gives permission.

Who can register a death

The majority of deaths are registered by a relative of the deceased. For registration purposes a relative is defined to be the nearest relative of the deceased and that person will always take priority. If there is no living relative the informant can be someone from the lists below. The lists are in order of preference:

If the death occurred in a house or hospital

A relative of the deceased

Surviving civil partner

Someone present at the death

The occupier of the house or hospital if he or she knew of the death

Another person living at the house if he or she knew of the death

The person making the arrangements with the funeral directors

If the death occurred elsewhere

A relative of the deceased

Surviving civil partner

Someone present at the death

Someone who found the deceased

A person in charge of the deceased

The person making the arrangements with the funeral directors

Documents and information you need to provide

You will need to provide the following documents:

The medical certificate of cause of death from the doctor who was treating the deceased

The deceased's medical card, if available

It would be useful if you could also bring one of the following supporting documents relating to the deceased, Passport/Utility Bill/Driving Licence/Marriage or Civil Partnership Certificate. You can however still register a Death without any of these.

You will need to give the following information:

Date and place of death

Name and surname of the deceased

Maiden surname (if applicable)

Date and place of birth

Occupation

Name and occupation of husband, if the deceased was a married woman or widow

Address

Whether the deceased was in receipt of a pension or allowance from public funds

If the deceased was married, the date of birth of the surviving widow or widower

Certificate for burial or cremation

When you register a death in the majority of cases the registrar will issue a certificate for the burial or cremation of the body.

If you are making the funeral arrangements you will need to hand it to the funeral firm. They will hand it to the burial authority or the crematorium in due course.

A funeral cannot proceed until this certificate is given to the burial authority or the crematorium.

If there is a delay to the registration of a death, the registrar can still issue a certificate for burial before registration but only if the death does not need to be reported to the coroner.

However the registrar won't be able to issue a certificate for cremation before the registration of the death.

If a death has been reported to the coroner, he or she may issue a certificate for burial or cremation where possible.